Dirty Deeds How He Turned Probate, Liens, and Chaos Into Millions
Jan 25, 2026
Brandon Schwalm, a high-volume operator who scales distressed and probate deals, built an 80+ property pipeline by solving messy title, probate, and tax problems. He shares wild stories like exhumation-for-DNA, buying partial interests, and handling squatters. Conversations cover deal structure, team scaling, outbound acquisition tactics, risk management, and legal strategy in deep-distress real estate.
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Specialized Roles Enable High-Volume Distress Deals
- Deep-distress deals scale with specialized team roles like genealogist and researcher.
- Brandon built an 80+ property pipeline by systematizing probate, tax, and title workflows.
Exhuming A Body To Prove Inheritance
- Brandon described a probate with DNA, exhumation, and an $18,000 testing bill to prove paternity.
- The judge then denied the father's claim, forcing an appeal and complex negotiation with multiple heirs.
Choose Settlement Over Costly Litigation
- Accept settlement when litigation costs and delays outweigh additional upside.
- Brandon would split proceeds midline rather than pursue years of appeals and legal expense.